VAST Satellite TV

yeoeleven · Guru

VAST Satellite TV

Patto44 · Senior Member

Hi John, Before you make a final decision check this site out. A lot of info, but worthwhile reading.

http://www.austech.info/vast/

The set top box you get with the vast system has the normal outlets and if your 'puter has video in jacks then you could use the screen to view TV.

Another outlet for them is www.campersat.com.au

Cheers,
Patto

yeoeleven · Guru

Thanks Patto for your comments and links.

So if the TV is sent directly to the lap top via the set top box it would have no impact on the broadband usage and one could view it whilst not even connected.

I have decided to wait until I am a month away from setting off and just buy the set top box and the smart card. I can then get set up with my existing Austar antennae and apply for a travellers registration to VAST.

Once I have got that sorted I will be in a better position to buy the laptop to replace my PC and get advice on the best brand and model to buy. I can then buy the rest of the satellite kit in time to test it out with the lap top before setting off.

Sounds like a logical plan.

John

Jacko · Veteran Member

John darling unlikly you can use a Vast receiver to view TV on laptop. HDMI port on laptop is out only. The other matter darling John is a laptop is greater power use than LED TV.

yeoeleven · Guru

Yes Jacko you are right I have been looking further into this situation and realize that I have a 22inch monitor that has dual inputs, both AVG and DVI D. There are adapters for sale to convert HDMI to DVI D and since the set top box does all the receiving and decoding it can send the signal direct to the monitor without the need for the computer or a TV for that matter.

This is from my reading and I may have it wrong so any further insights would be helpful to confirm my understanding.

John

Happywanderer · The Master

I have just read all this thread and it is all too technical for me.
I intend just taking my laptop when I head up north and using it for the internet, watching DVDs and also watching TV. For the TV I was going to get a USB TV converter or what ever its called.
Now! if I do that, is that all I need to watch TV or is there more to it than that.

yeoeleven · Guru

Hi Happywanderer,

my understanding of receiving TV direct to your computer suggests that with a TV tuning card you will be able to receive local stations although you will need some kind of antennae.

I have placed the following link http://satellitedirect.fyi-web.com/ for your perusal, personally I do not think that their results are nearly as good as the site suggests but it may be worth $29 to find out.

Also if receiving TV through your computer affects your download capacity and wireless is very expensive per gigabite you may like to gain advice on that subject.

John

Happywanderer · The Master

Hi John, I've got wireless internet with 3 Ggs, works well. Does using your laptop as a TV use downloads from that allowance. Wouldn't have thought so and hope not.

Patto44 · Senior Member

I have a TV 'dongle' (usb thingy) that plugs into the puter. Available on Ebay from about $20. It is not real successful unless you are close to the transmitters. Clear picture but not all chanels are available. Depends on location.
You do not need to be on the net to watch TV.

Further to my previous post about the 'vast' stb, I now realise that the vast connection is 'hdmi' and as Jacko said, computers normally only have hdmi output, so it doesn't seem possible to use the monitor as a TV.

Cheers
Patto

Happywanderer · The Master

So if you are not on the net to watch TV, which is what I thought, it wouldn't be using any download, right?

Someone mentioned earlier it did use download so now I'm confused.

_wombat_ · Master (of Mischief)

HW, it will use download limits, you will need to be online.

on another point, if you do intend to run your lappy without power, you MUST have a pure sinewave inverter from Jaycar

Jacko · Veteran Member

Happywanderer wrote:

I have just read all this thread and it is all too technical for me.
I intend just taking my laptop when I head up north and using it for the internet, watching DVDs and also watching TV. For the TV I was going to get a USB TV converter or what ever its called.
Now! if I do that, is that all I need to watch TV or is there more to it than that.

Darling you can buy a 12" or 15" HD tuner LED TV for under $200. Laptop is not a good TV viewing machine. Much easier in a small place to find somewhere to permanently mount a TV and keep the cables out the way. LED TV less power consumption than laptop. I use a USB PAL/SECAM TV dongle as travel extensively flying and darling is not a substitute for a real TV.

Jacko · Veteran Member

yeoeleven wrote:

Yes Jacko you are right I have been looking further into this situation and realize that I have a 22inch monitor that has dual inputs, both AVG and DVI D. There are adapters for sale to convert HDMI to DVI D and since the set top box does all the receiving and decoding it can send the signal direct to the monitor without the need for the computer or a TV for that matter.

This is from my reading and I may have it wrong so any further insights would be helpful to confirm my understanding.

John

Darling make sure when you purchase the HDMI to DVI converter you can return it if you find the performance unsatisfactory. Monitor may have an issue with a converted DVI signal.

Happywanderer · The Master

Ok, thats settled it then. I will be taking my digital TV from the bedroom with me and plugging it into the power. There is a portable aerial in the van, haven't sussed it out yet.
I don 't want to bugger up my laptop and I don't have enough Ggs to watch TV on it as well. My limit is 3 Ggs. And I use most of that up just doing what I do and uploading photos etc.

Patto44 · Senior Member

HW I think you have made the best decision as the 'dongle' is not real good reception, sometimes. (as noted in previous reply).

Hey Wombat, see below - I do not need to be on the net to get TV and it does not use any of your download. I have had one for several years and it was great sometimes but this depended on how close to town we were.

WinFast DTV Dongle Gold - Tops for Free DVB-T TV on the Road!

Leadtek Research Inc., the total multimedia communication solutions provider raises the curtain on its brand new portable digital TV tuner device, the WinFast DTV Dongle Gold.

The Dongle's pocket size and USB2.0 plug-n-play interface gives the user the liberty to watch free DVB-T TV on the fly. As a USB 2.0 powered PCTV device bundled with a portable DVB-T TV antenna, WinFast DTV Dongle Goldis also a perfect traveling companion, extending all the entertainment functions of a laptop.

The portable USB2.0 TV tuner has a professional silicon tuner built in for DVB-T TV reception and program recording. No longer any need to change schedule to enjoy a favorite TV show. The Scheduled Recording function automatically records all of your favorite programs and there's Standby/Hibernate mode for silence and power-saving. High quality MPEG-2 recording format means you get DVD like quality images. You can pause, rewind and fast-forward at will with the Time Shifting function while in TwinView mode you're able to simultaneously and effortlessly enjoy the luxury of two screens, one for the live show and the other for a recorded clip.

In line with your mobile life-style, WinFast DTV Dongle Gold provides a multiple language support interface and a built-in global channel list. So, say goodbye to time-consuming full channel scans when you move from state to state, or country to country. HDTV, AC3 and EPG (Electronics Program Guide) are all supported. What's more, if you're a Vista fan then you've just got to savor the flavor of Windows Media Center's brilliant TV viewing function with the WinFast DTV Dongle Gold.

The value added WinFast Mobile Video Express (WinFast MoViE) pack comprises a 3D album creator and an iPod & PSP video converter. A user can now freely create a personal 3D album, convert recorded TV shows to iPod/PSP video format and then carry and watch them on iPod/PSP anyplace anytime!

In the era of PCTV it's not enough to merely watch TV on PC. With WinFast DTV Dongle Gold, you're loaded with a pocketful of portable digital TV reception - TV news before the beginning of a game of football or a good movie when you simply want to chill out. Plug in and Play. The World's only an instant away.

Happywanderer · The Master

I priced a Sine Wave inverter yesterday, now I know I need one will go back and get it.

Jacko · Veteran Member

Happywanderer wrote:
I priced a Sine Wave inverter yesterday, now I know I need one will go back and get it.

Darling HW if you have a small TV you are taking from your bedroom cant you power directly off 12v? Be cheaper to buy a 12V Led TV than a decent sine wave inverter.

Do you know what you are buying in the sine wave inverter. Darling how efficient in the unit etc. What brand is it?

Happywanderer · The Master

Jacko, my SinL is an electrician and will set it all up. Need the inverter to power anything electrical when free camping.. I'm still learning and he kniows all the answers so will set me right on that. Not buying ANOTHER Tv, already have two digital TVs. A large one in the lounge and a small one in the bedroom. Can't afford another one.

I'm only going on the sine wave inverter as that is what all the grey nomads I have talked to are advising, will check with SinL before making the purchase.

Shows you how dumb I am. Don't you need an inverter to plug it into from the 12 volt battery. There is no plug holes in the battery itself.

I'm presuming that is what you mean Jacko when you say "Can't you power TV directly off the 12 volt." Don't you need something to plug it into or am I dumber than dumb Haha.
Thats what I thought an inverter did.

Now I'm really confused. Think I will leave it to SinL to sort out.

ChiChi1 · Guru

I,m like you HM. BIL is elctrician, Brother is Gas Fitter & Plumber, and Son and daughter are computer nerds. Need a motor mechanic. So will be relying on them to get things sorted.

_wombat_ · Master (of Mischief)

just purchased a VAST box from www.satplus.com.au for $279 will set it up asap

yeoeleven · Guru

Hi wombat,

will be interested to hear how you go with the vast set up.

I am leaning towards Patto's suggestion re the DTV dongle, I'm wary of dongles but since he has had some years of successful use it may be worth trying especially if my requirements of TV are to keep up with the news and anything within range.

John

_wombat_ · Master (of Mischief)

Tried to setup my dish and could not get a signal, first time that has happened, need to get sat sig so that I can register the VAST setup, will try again later, maybe next week

milo · Guru

i have a digital tv usb dongle, plugs strait into the laptop , and doenst interfere with my usb modem, hasnt anything to do with the internet,not sure about satelite tv

milo · Guru

if your satelite tv antenna is the same like from your normal free to air tv , then i dont think it would have any thing
to do with your internet.. only unless you might need to update firm ware , (ie software) for the sat dish.. that'd be the only time..
I just made a short video for you guys to watch, (oh i wrote and played the music in the intro too...)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dspwGVXt-d4

-- Edited by milo on Saturday 5th of March 2011 08:30:22 PM

Happywanderer · The Master

Thank you milo, that was very clear and very well explained. good to see a picture of an actual usb dongle so know what they look like and to see how it all worked for you. Thank you again.

milo · Guru

no worries mate...

yeoeleven · Guru

Thanks Milo that was very interesting seeing how it all fits together.

Could you please show us or descibe the antennae you use when travelling because that would also account for much of the actual receiving.

John

jonathan · Guru

Hi Wombat ..

I'd be keen to see how it goes also .. I notice that the (satplus) URL you presented now must be offline as it wasn't to be found when I looked ..

cheers .. Jon

(Currently near Boyup Brook, WA)

Mick17 · Veteran Member

Hi guys, these are a couple of pictures of my set-up with my Austar,Vast digital decoder box. The satellite dish is connected through a 2 x way switch betweem both systems. The top box is a 4 x way Audio system.
Cheers Mick Mick's improvements inside the van (18).JPG

Mick's improvements inside the van (18).JPG

Mick's improvements inside the van (17).JPG

Mick's improvements inside the van (16).JPG

Mick's improvements inside the van (13).JPG

Hi

-- Edited by Mick17 on Sunday 6th of March 2011 10:43:49 AM

jonathan · Guru

Nice setup Mick .. thanks mate !

Jon